Construction will begin on the second phase of the 15th Street construction project this week.

A subcontractor for Sioux Falls-based Metro Construction started the process Monday of removing about 50 trees along 15th Street, Garfield and State avenues and the city park, officially kicking off the construction phase of the $1.91 million project.
Last week, MidAmerican Energy began replacing a number of its gas mains and services to individual properties in the construction area, which includes 15th Street between Clark and Garfield avenues, State Avenue between Thresher Drive and 12th Street and Garfield Avenue between 15th Street and 12th Street.

Also a part of the project, a water main will be removed from the side of the Garfield Street Bridge and a new line will be bored under the Big Sioux River. A sewer-casing pipe will be installed under the river to provide future sewer service south of the Big Sioux River.

Metro intends to start street surface removals on State and Garfield avenues, the intersection of 15th Street and Garfield Avenue – including the existing curve – and 13th Street next week, said Justin Weiland, Dell Rapids City Administrator.

To keep impacted property owners and residents abreast of project progressions, the city and Metro will hold public meetings at 10 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month during construction, the first is May 21 at City Hall.